President Donald Trump is wasting no time getting into fight mode. With the historic UFC White House event just one month away, the Commander-in-Chief rolled out the red carpet—and a very special championship belt—for the headliners of this landmark card.
On Wednesday, Trump welcomed four of the biggest names in MMA to the Oval Office for an early promotional event. The centerpiece? A one-of-a-kind UFC title belt, custom-designed for the June 14 event in Washington, D.C., featuring the American flag and paying tribute to the nation's upcoming 250th Independence Day on July 4.
Flanking the President's desk were two of the most dangerous men in the sport. To Trump's right stood lightweight champion Ilia Topuria and former two-division king Alex Pereira. To his left, their respective challengers: Justin Gaethje and Ciryl Gane. The symbolism wasn't lost on anyone—these four warriors will headline a seven-fight card that's already being called the most unique in UFC history.
Trump, ever the showman, took a moment to hype the main event—Topuria's 155-pound title defense against Gaethje. The President singled out Gaethje as the lone American in the quartet, calling him "a friend of mine" who "loves this country so much."
Topuria, never one to miss an opportunity, fired back with a playful roast that had the room buzzing: "Why you want to give the toughest test to a friend of yours?" The champion's quick wit was a reminder that the trash talk is already in mid-season form—even in the Oval Office.
The lighthearted moment captured the unique blend of pageantry and combat sports that this event promises. Trump also made headlines when shaking hands with Pereira, remarking, "He has a LARGE hand. That's a powerful hand." Given Pereira's reputation as one of the most devastating strikers in UFC history, it's hard to argue with that assessment.
Behind the scenes, UFC CEO Dana White has been candid about the logistical challenges of staging an outdoor event on the White House lawn. While the event itself will be closed to the public with a limited attendance of 4,500, fans won't be left out. A massive viewing area at The Ellipse—typically used for events like the National Christmas Tree lighting—will accommodate up to 100,000 spectators, all watching for free on a giant screen.
With a month to go, the hype train is already at full speed. If the Oval Office press conference is any indication, fight fans are in for something truly special on June 14.